Display device

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a display device includes a first light shielding layer, a second light shielding layer, a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, a gate line, a first source line, a second source line, a switching element, and a pixel electrode, wherein an area in which the first light shielding layer and the pixel electrode are opposed to each other and an area in which the second light shielding layer and the pixel electrode are opposed to each other are equal in size.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2013-252950, filed Dec. 6, 2013, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a display device.

BACKGROUND

Flat-panel display devices have been used in various fields. In such aflat-panel display device, a cell gap between a pair of substrates isheld by spacers. In the proximity of a spacer, the alignment of liquidcrystal molecules is easily disturbed, and due to this disturbance,inconveniences such as light leakage and the like often occur. Thus, anarea overlapping such a spacer should be formed light-tight.

For example, there is a technique proposed in which a first light shieldcovering an area overlapping a spacer and a second light shield coveringan area not overlapping the spacer are used, and an area of the firstlight shield is set greater than that of the second light shield. Withsuch a technique, a decrease in aperture ratio will be suppressed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view which schematically shows an example of a displaypanel PNL applicable to a display device of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view which schematically shows the structure of thedisplay panel PNL of FIG. 1 including a switching element SW.

FIG. 3 is a view which schematically shows a cross-sectional structuretaken along line A-B of the display device DSP including the switchingelement SW of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view which schematically shows a layout example of columnarspacers SP and light shielding layers SL.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, a display device includes: afirst substrate including: a first light shielding layer; a second lightshielding layer separated from and in a shape different than the firstlight shielding layer; a first semiconductor layer crossing the firstlight shielding layer; a second semiconductor layer crossing the secondlight shielding layer; a gate line extending in a first direction, thegate line opposed to the first light shielding layer to cross the firstsemiconductor layer and opposed to the second light shielding layer tocross the second semiconductor layer; a first source line extending in asecond direction and opposed to the first light shielding layer; asecond source line extending in the second direction and opposed to thesecond light shielding layer; a switching element electrically connectedto the gate line and the first source line; and a pixel electrodeelectrically connected to the switching element and opposed to the firstlight shielding layer and the second light shielding layer; and a secondsubstrate disposed to be opposed to the first substrate, wherein an areain which the first light shielding layer and the pixel electrode areopposed to each other and an area in which the second light shieldinglayer and the pixel electrode are opposed to each other are equal insize.

According to another embodiment, a display device includes: a firstsubstrate including: a first insulating substrate; a first lightshielding layer disposed on the first insulating substrate; a secondlight shielding layer disposed on the first insulating substrate, thesecond light shielding layer separated from and in a shape differentthan the first light shielding layer; a first insulating film to coverthe first light shielding layer and the second light shielding layer; afirst semiconductor layer disposed on the first insulating film and tocross the first light shielding layer; a second semiconductor layerdisposed on the first insulating film and to cross the second lightshielding layer; a second insulating film to cover the firstsemiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer; a gate linedisposed on the second insulating film extending in a first direction,the gate line opposed to the first light shielding layer to cross thefirst semiconductor layer and opposed to the second light shieldinglayer to cross the second semiconductor layer; a third insulating filmto cover the gate line; a first source line disposed on the thirdinsulating film to contact one end of the first semiconductor layer, thefirst source line extending in a second direction and opposed to thefirst light shielding layer; a drain electrode disposed on the thirdinsulating film to contact the other end of the first semiconductorlayer; a second source line disposed on the third insulating filmextending in the second direction, the second source line opposed to thesecond light shielding layer; a fourth insulating film to cover thefirst source line, the drain electrode, and the second source line; anda pixel electrode disposed on the fourth insulating film to contact thedrain electrode, the pixel electrode opposed to the first lightshielding layer and the second light shielding layer; and a secondsubstrate disposed to be opposed to the first substrate, wherein an areain which the first light shielding layer and the pixel electrode areopposed to each other and an area in which the second light shieldinglayer and the pixel electrode are opposed to each other are equal insize.

According to another embodiment, a display device includes: a firstsubstrate including: a first light shielding layer; a second lightshielding layer separated from and in a shape different than the firstlight shielding layer; a gate line extending in a first direction andopposed to the first light shielding layer and the second lightshielding layer; a first source line extending in a second direction andopposed to the first light shielding layer; a second source lineextending in the second direction and opposed to the second lightshielding layer; a first pixel electrode extending in a region dividedby the gate line and the first source line and including a firstcounter-region opposed to the first light shielding layer; a secondpixel electrode extending in a region divided by the gate line, thefirst source line, and the second source line, the second pixelelectrode including a second counter-region opposed to the first lightshielding layer and a third counter-region opposed to the second lightshielding layer; a third pixel electrode extending in a region dividedby the gate line and the second source line and including a fourthcounter-region opposed to the second light shielding layer; a fourthpixel electrode including a fifth counter-region opposed to the firstlight shielding layer and the fourth pixel electrode adjacent to thefirst pixel electrode in the second direction; a fifth pixel electrodeincluding a sixth counter-region opposed to the first light shieldinglayer and a seventh counter-region opposed to the second light shieldinglayer, the fifth pixel electrode adjacent to the second pixel electrodein the second direction; and a sixth pixel electrode including an eighthcounter-region opposed to the second light shielding layer, the sixthpixel electrode adjacent to the third pixel electrode in the seconddirection; and a second substrate disposed to be opposed to the firstsubstrate, wherein an area of the second counter-region and an area ofthe third counter-region are equal in size.

Hereinafter, embodiments are described in detail with reference toaccompanying drawings. In the drawings, structural elements having sameor similar functions will be referred to by a common reference numberand explanation considered redundant will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a plan view which schematically shows an example of a displaypanel PNL applicable to a display device of an embodiment.

That is, a display panel PNL is an active matrix liquid crystal displaypanel including an array substrate AR, counter-substrate CT opposed tothe array substrate AR, and a liquid crystal layer LQ held between thearray substrate AR and the counter-substrate CT. The array substrate ARand the counter-substrate CT are adhered by a sealant SE while apredetermined cell gap is formed therebetween. In the Figure, thesealant SE is shaped into a rectangular frame-like closed loop. The cellgap is defined by a columnar spacer (described later) formed on thearray substrate or the counter-substrate CT. The display panel PNLincludes an active area ACT for image display inside the area surroundedby the sealant SE. The active area ACT is shaped into, for example,substantially a rectangular and is composed of a plurality of pixels PXarranged in a matrix.

The array substrate AR includes a gate line G extending in a firstdirection X, a source line S extending in a second direction Y crossingthe first direction X of the gate line G, a switching element SWelectrically connected to the gate line G and the source line S, and apixel electrode PE electrically connected to the switching element SW. Acommon electrode CE is provided with, for example, the counter-substrateCT to be opposed to each pixel electrode PE via the liquid crystal layerLQ.

The detailed structure of the display panel PNL is not explained herebut note that, if the display panel PNL is in a mode in which a verticalfield is mainly used such as twisted nematic (TN) mode, opticallycompensated bend (OCB) mode, and vertical aligned (VA) mode, the pixelelectrode PE is provided with the array substrate AR while the commonelectrode CE is provided with the counter-substrate CT. On the otherhand, if the display panel PNL is in a mode in which a transverse fieldis mainly used such as in-plane switching (IPS) mode and fringe fieldswitching (FFS) mode, both the pixel electrode PE and the commonelectrode CE are provided with the array substrate AR.

In the example depicted in the Figure, the array substrate AR includes amount MT extending outside an end of the counter-substrate CT. Signalsuppliers such as driving IC chip 2 and flexible printed circuit (FPC)board 3 which supply signals necessary to drive the display panel PNLare positioned in a periphery area PRP outside the active are ACT andmounted on the mount MT.

FIG. 2 is a plan view which schematically shows the structure of thedisplay panel PNL shown in FIG. 1 including the switching element SW.

The array substrate AR includes, for example, a first light shieldinglayer SL1, second light shielding layer SL2, first gate line G1, firstsource line S1, second source line S2, switching element SW, and pixelelectrode PE. The switching element SW is, for example, a thin-filmtransistor (TFT). The switching element SW may be either a top gate typeor a bottom gate type, and in the example depicted, a top gate typeswitching element is adopted. The switching element SW is electricallyconnected to the first gate line G1 and the first source line S1.

The first light shielding layer SL1 and the second light shielding layerSL2 are formed of a light shielding metal material such as molybdenum(Mo) or the like in an island shape, respectively. The second lightshielding layer SL2 is separated from and in a shape different than thefirst light shielding layer SL1. The first light shielding layer SL1 isgreater in size than the second light shielding layer SL2, and an areain which the first light shielding layer SL1 is disposed is larger thanthat of the second light shielding layer SL2. As described later,positions at which columnar spacers are disposed overlap with the firstlight shielding layers SL1 but do not overlap with the second lightshielding layers SL2.

The first semiconductor layer SC1 crosses the first light shieldinglayer SL1. The first semiconductor layer SC1 includes a contact CT1 atits one end and a contact CT2 at its other end. The first semiconductorlayer SC1 is, for example, formed in an L-shape which includes astraight line L1 extending from contact CT1 along the second direction Yand a straight line L2 extending from contact CT2 along the firstdirection X to connect with the straight line L1. The secondsemiconductor layer SC2 crosses the second light shielding layer SL2.The second semiconductor layer SC2 is shaped in a similar manner as thefirst semiconductor layer SC1 and its detailed explanation is thusomitted.

The first gate line G1 extends in the first direction X and is opposedto each of the first light shielding layer SL1 and the second lightshielding layer SL2. The first gate line G1 crosses the firstsemiconductor layer SC1 at the point opposed to the first lightshielding layer SL1. Furthermore, the first gate line G1 crosses thesecond semiconductor layer SC2 at the point opposed to the second lightshielding layer SL2. In the example depicted, the switching element SWis of double gate structure, and referring to the switching element SWin particular, the two points of the first gate line G1 crossing thefirst semiconductor layer SC1 function as gate electrodes WG. Note that,if in a switching element of single gate structure, a gate line crossesa semiconductor layer at a single point.

The first source line S1 and the second source line S2 extend in thesecond direction Y, respectively. The first source line S1 is opposed tothe first light shielding layer SL1. The second source line S2 isopposed to the second light shielding layer SL2. Referring to theswitching element SW in particular, the part of the first source line S1which contacts contact CT1 of the first semiconductor layer SC1functions as a source electrode WS.

Drain electrode WD of the switching element SW contacts contact CT2 ofthe first semiconductor layer SC1. Second pixel electrode PE2 at thecenter of the Figure contacts the drain electrode WD and is electricallyconnected to the switching element SW.

Now, a positional relationship between the first and second lightshielding layers SL1 and SL2 and pixel electrodes PE is explained.

The first light shielding layer SL1 is disposed such that the crossingpoint of the first gate line G1 and the first source line S1 is set toits center, and the first light shielding layer SL1 extends into fourregions (pixels) divided by the first gate line G1 and the first sourceline S1. Furthermore, the first light shielding layer SL1 is partlyopposed to each of its surrounding four electrodes, namely, first pixelelectrode PE1, second pixel electrode PE2, fourth pixel electrode PE4,and fifth pixel electrode PE5. That is, the first light shielding layerSL1 includes a first counter-region A11 opposed to the first pixelelectrode PE1, a second counter-region A12 opposed to the second pixelelectrode PE2, a fifth counter-region A14 opposed to the fourth pixelelectrode PE4, and a sixth counter-region A15 opposed to the fifth pixelelectrode PE5.

The second light shielding layer SL2 is disposed such that the crossingpoint of the first gate line G1 and the second source line S2 is set toits center, and extends into four regions (pixels) divided by the firstgate line G1 and the second source line S2. Furthermore, the secondlight shielding layer SL2 is partly opposed to each of its surroundingfour electrodes, namely, second pixel electrode PE2, third pixelelectrode PE3, fifth pixel electrode PE5, and sixth pixel electrode PE6.That is, the second light shielding layer SL2 includes a thirdcounter-region A22 opposed to the second pixel electrode PE2, a fourthcounter-region A23 opposed to the third pixel electrode PE3, a seventhcounter-region A25 opposed to the fifth pixel electrode PE5, and aneighth counter-region A26 opposed to the sixth pixel electrode PE6.

Here, in the first light shielding layer SL1 and the second lightshielding layer SL2, the areas opposed to the same pixel electrode areequal in size. Specifically, in the example depicted, the secondcounter-region A12 of the first light shielding layer SL1 and the thirdcounter-region A22 of the second light shielding layer SL2 both opposedto the second pixel electrode PE2 are equal in size. Or, the sixthcounter-region A15 of the first light shielding layer SL1 and theseventh counter-region A25 of the second light shielding layer SL2 bothopposed to the fifth pixel electrode PE5 are equal in size. That is,coupling capacitance between the first light shielding layer SL1 and thesecond pixel electrode PE2 is equal to coupling capacitance between thesecond light shielding layer SL2 and the second pixel electrode PE2while coupling capacitance between the first light shielding layer SL1and the fifth pixel electrode PE5 is equal to coupling capacitancebetween the second light shielding layer SL2 and the fifth pixelelectrode PE5.

In the first light shielding layer SL1, the areas opposed to theirrespective pixel electrodes are equal in size. In the example depicted,the area of the first counter-region A11 is equal to those of the secondcounter-region A12, fifth counter-region A14, and sixth counter-regionA15. In the second light shielding layer SL2, the areas opposed to theirrespective pixel electrodes are equal in size. In the example depicted,the area of the third counter-region A22 is equal to those of the fourthcounter-region A23, seventh counter-region A25, and eighthcounter-region A26. That is, coupling capacitance between the firstlight shielding layer SL1 and the first pixel electrode PE1 is equal tocoupling capacitance between the first light shielding layer SL1 and thesecond pixel electrode PE2, to coupling capacitance between the firstlight shielding layer SL1 and the second pixel electrode PE2, tocoupling capacitance between the first light shielding layer SL1 and thefourth pixel electrode PE4, and to coupling capacitance between thefirst shielding layer SL1 and the fifth pixel electrode PE5.Furthermore, coupling capacitance between the second light shieldinglayer SL2 and the second pixel electrode PE2 is equal to couplingcapacitance between the second light shielding layer SL2 and the thirdpixel electrode PE3, to coupling capacitance between the second lightshielding layer SL2 and the fifth pixel electrode PE5, and to couplingcapacitance between the second light shielding layer SL2 and the sixthpixel electrode PE6.

Now, a positional relationship between the first and second lightshielding layers SL1 and SL2 and first gate line G1 is explained.

The first light shielding layer SL1 includes an area B1 opposed to thefirst gate line G1. The second light shielding layer SL2 includes anarea B2 opposed to the first gate line G1. Here, in the first lightshielding layer SL1 and the second light shielding layer SL2, the areasopposed to the same gate line are equal in size. In the exampledepicted, the area B1 and the area B2 are equal in size. That is,coupling capacitance between the first light shielding layer SL1 and thefirst gate line G1 is equal to coupling capacitance between the secondlight shielding layer SL2 and the first gate line G1.

Now, a positional relationship between the first and second lightshielding layers SL1 and SL2 and first and second source lines S1 and S2is explained.

The first light shielding layer SL1 includes an area C1 opposed to thefirst source line S1. The second light shielding layer SL2 includes anarea C2 opposed to the second source line S2. Here, in the first lightshielding layer SL1 and the second light shielding layer SL2, the areasopposed to their respective source lines are equal in size. In theexample depicted, the area C1 and the area C2 are equal in size. Thatis, coupling capacitance between the first light shielding layer SL1 andthe first source line S1 is equal to coupling capacitance between thesecond light shielding layer SL2 and the second source line S2.

FIG. 3 is a view which schematically shows a cross-sectional structuretaken along line A-B of a display device DSP including the switchingelement SW pf FIG. 2. Note that, in this example, the cross-sectionalstructure of the display device DSP in a mode in which a vertical fieldis mainly used is explained for instance.

First insulating substrate 10 used in the array substrate AR is atransparent substrate such as glass substrate, resin substrate, or thelike. The array substrate AR includes, at its side opposed to thecounter-substrate CT of the first insulating substrate 10, a lightshielding layer SL1, switching element SW, pixel electrode PE, firstinsulating film 11, second insulating film 12, third insulating film 13,fourth insulating film 14, first alignment film AL1, and the like.

Light shielding layer SL1 is formed on the first insulating substrate10. The light shielding layer SL1 is covered with the first insulatingfilm 11. The first insulating film 11 is also disposed on the firstinsulating substrate 10.

The switching element SW includes the first semiconductor layer SC1disposed on the first insulating film 11. The first semiconductor layerSC1 is formed of, for example, polycrystalline silicon. The firstsemiconductor layer SC1 is covered with the second insulating film 12.The second insulating film 12 is also disposed on the first insulatingfilm 11.

Gate electrode WG of the switching element SW is formed on the secondinsulating film 12 and is positioned immediately above the firstsemiconductor layer SC1. The gate electrode WG is formed integrally withthe first gate line G1. Both the gate electrode WG and the first gateline G1 are covered with the third insulating film 13. The thirdinsulating film 13 is also disposed on the second insulating film 12.

First source line S1, and source electrode WS and drain electrode WD ofthe switching element SW are formed on the third insulating film 13. Thesource electrode WS is formed integrally with the first source line S1.The drain electrode WD is separated from the first source line S1. Thesource electrode WS and the drain electrode WD contact the firstsemiconductor layer SC1, respectively, through contact holes passingthrough the second insulating film 12 and the third insulating film 13.The source electrode WS, first source line S1 and drain electrode WD arecovered with the fourth insulating film 14. The fourth insulating film14 is also disposed on the third insulating film 13. A contact hole CHis formed in the fourth insulating film 14 reaching the drain electrodeWD. The fourth insulating film 14 is formed of, for example, atransparent resin material.

The pixel electrode PE is formed on the fourth insulating film 14. Thepixel electrode PE contacts the drain electrode WD through the contacthole CH. The pixel electrode PE is formed of a transparent conductivematerial such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO). Thepixel electrode PE is covered with the first alignment film AL1.

On the other hand, the counter-substrate CT is formed of a secondinsulating substrate 30 which is a transparent substrate such as glasssubstrate and resin substrate. The counter-substrate CT includes, at itsside opposed to the array substrate AR of the second insulatingsubstrate 30, a light shielding layer (black matrix) 31, color filter(including red color filter layer, green color filter layer, and bluecolor filter layer) 32, overcoat layer 33, common electrode CE, andsecond alignment film AL2, and the like.

Light shielding layer 31 is formed on the second insulating substrate 30at its side opposed to the array substrate AR. The light shielding layer31 defines each pixel PX in the active area ACT and an aperture AP. Thelight shielding layer 31 is opposed to the lines provided with the arraysubstrate AR such as gate line G, source line S, and switching elementSW.

A color filter 32 is formed in the aperture AP and extends on the lightshielding layer 31. The color filter 32 is composed of resin materialseach colored differently in, for example, the primary colors of red,green and blue. A red color filter layer is disposed on a red pixel, agreen color filter layer is disposed on a green pixel, and a blue colorfilter layer is disposed on a blue pixel. The boundaries betweendifferent color filters overlap the light shielding layer 31.

Overcoat layer 33 covers the color filter 32. The overcoat layer 33flattens the asperity on the surfaces of the light shielding layer 31and the color filter 32. The overcoat layer 33 is formed of atransparent resin material.

The common electrode CE is formed on the overcoat layer 33 at its sideopposed to the array substrate AR and is opposed to the pixel electrodePE. The common electrode CE is formed of a transparent conductivematerial such as ITO or IZO. The common electrode CE is covered with thesecond alignment film AL2.

In the structure described above, the array substrate AR and thecounter-substrate CT are arranged such that the first alignment film AL1and the second alignment film AL2 face each other. At that time, acolumnar spacer SP intervenes between the array substrate AR and thecounter-substrate CT to create a predetermined cell gap. In the exampledepicted, the columnar spacer SP is provided with the array substrate ARand is formed on the fourth insulating film 14 in the area overlappingthe light shielding layer SL1; however, the columnar spacer SP may beprovided with the counter-substrate CT. The array substrate AR and thecounter-substrate CT are adhered by a sealant while the cell gap isformed therebetween. Liquid crystal layer LQ is constituted of a liquidcrystal composition containing liquid crystal molecules sealed insidethe cell gap created between the first alignment film AL1 and the secondalignment film AL2.

On the outer surface 10B of the first insulating substrate 10, a firstoptical device OD1 including a first polarizing plate PL1 is arranged.On the outer surface 30B of the second insulating substrate 30, a secondoptical device OD2 including a second polarizing plate PL2 is arranged.

In the display panel PNL with the above structure, a backlight unit BLis arranged at its rear surface side. Various models of the backlightunit BL can be adopted optionally and its detailed structuralexplanation is omitted.

In such a display device DSP, capacitance necessary for image display isproduced by means of various electrodes and lines, but on the otherhand, the area composed of light shielding materials in which suchelectrodes and lines are disposed is reduced more and more due to recentdemands for higher accuracy, higher aperture ratio, wider viewing angle,and higher contrast. Consequently, sufficient capacitance for imagedisplay becomes harder to secure. Therefore, capacitance retainingperformance needs to be improved while light leakage from the switchingelement SW is suppressed. Especially, in a switching element SW of topgate structure, light leakage occurs when light from the backlight unitBL positioned at the rear surface side of the switching element SW isirradiated upon the semiconductor layer SC. Considering this point, thelight shielding layer SL is arranged between the semiconductor layer SCand the backlight unit BL to suppress the light leakage in the switchingelement SW and to improve the capacitance retaining performance.

On the other hand, in the display device DSP, the columnar spacer SP isarranged to maintain a cell gap between a pair of substrates.Especially, in a liquid crystal display device, alignment of liquidcrystal molecules tends to be disturbed easily in the periphery of thecolumnar spacer SP. Considering this point, the light shielding layer SLis arranged in the area overlapping the columnar spacer SP to suppressthe light leakage due to the alignment disturbance of the liquid crystalmolecules and to suppress decrease in contrast ratio.

What should be noted here is the aperture ratio. If light shieldinglayers SL having the same area are provided with all pixels, theaperture ratio is lowered. Thus, the light shielding layers SL must havedifferent patterns between the area overlapping the columnar spacer andthe area not overlapping the columnar spacer. That is, light shieldinglayers having relatively large area are disposed in the area wherecolumnar spacers are arranged while light shielding layers havingrelatively small area are disposed in the area where columnar spacersare not arranged for suppressing the decrease of the aperture ratio. Inthat case, if the light shielding layers SL having different patternsare arranged opposed to the pixel electrode PE, source line S, and gateline G, the coupling capacitance varies due to differences in areabetween each light shielding layer and the pixel electrode PE, sourceline S, and gate line G. The varying coupling capacitance disturbselectrical balance and causes display quality deterioration such asflicker and crosstalk.

In this embodiment, referring to a positional relationship betweenadjacent first and second light shielding layers SL1 and SL2 and a pixelelectrode PE, the area in which the first light shielding layer SL1 andthe pixel electrode PE are opposed to each other and the area in whichthe second light shielding layer SL2 and the pixel electrode PE areopposed to each other are equal. In addition, adjacent pixel electrodesare opposed to their respective light shielding layers equally in area.Furthermore, the first light shielding layer SL1 is opposed to eachpixel electrode PE equally in area. The second light shielding layer SL2is opposed to each pixel electrode PE equally in area. Referring to apositional relationship between the first and second light shieldinglayers SL1 and SL2 and the first gate line G1, the area in which thefirst light shielding layer SL1 and the first gate line G1 are opposedto each other and the area in which the second light shielding layer SL2and the first gate line G1 are opposed to each other are equal.Referring to a positional relationship between the first and secondlight shielding layers SL1 and SL2 and the first and second source linesS1 and S2, the area in which the first light shielding layer SL1 and thefirst source line S1 are opposed to each other and the area in which thesecond light shielding layer SL2 and the second source line S2 areopposed to each other are equal. Consequently, in each pixel which iscapacitive coupling with the same source line, the occurrence ofcrosstalk due to different coupling capacitances between the pixelelectrode PE and light shielding layer SL can be suppressed.Additionally, in each pixel which is capacitive coupling with the samegate line, the occurrence of flicker due to different couplingcapacitances between the gate line G and the light shielding layer SLcan be suppressed. Therefore, a display device having good displayquality can be produced.

FIG. 4 is a view which schematically shows a layout example of columnarspacers SP and light shielding layers SL.

Specifically, columnar spacers SP are, as explained above, disposed atcertain crossing points of gate lines G and source lines S. Out of theentire crossing points of the gate lines G and source lines S, firstlight shielding layers SL1 having a relatively large area are disposedonly at the crossing points which overlap the columnar spacers SP, andsecond light shielding layers SL2 having a relatively small area aredisposed at the crossing points which do not overlap the columnarspacers SP.

In the present embodiment, the number of the first light shieldinglayers SL1 disposed on each source line is the same. For example,referring to the first source line S1 to the fourth source line S4 inthe Figure, each line has two first light shielding layers SL1 at thecrossing points of the source and gate lines. Furthermore, the number ofthe second light shielding layers SL2 disposed on each of the sourcelines S1 to S4 is the same. Thus, in each source line S, the first lightshielding layers SL1 and the second light shielding layers SL2 havesubstantially the same coupling capacitance which means that the displayquality deterioration due to differences in the coupling capacitance inthe source line S can be suppressed.

Similarly, the number of the first light shielding layers SL1 disposedon each gate line is the same. For example, referring to the first gateline G1 to the fourth gate line G4 in the Figure, each line has twofirst light shielding layers SL1 at the crossing points of the sourceand gate lines. Furthermore, the number of the second light shieldinglayers SL2 disposed on each of the gate lines G1 to G4 is the same.Thus, in each gate line G, the first light shielding layers SL1 and thesecond light shielding layers SL2 have substantially the same couplingcapacitance which means that the display quality deterioration due todifferences in the coupling capacitance in the gate line G can besuppressed.

As can be understood from the above, a display device having gooddisplay quality can be produced according to the present embodiment.

Note that the invention is not limited to the above-described embodimentalone, and in the materialization process, its structural elements maybe modified freely within the scope and spirit of the invention.Furthermore, the invention can be altered in a variety of ways by asuitable combination of the structural elements described in theembodiment. For example, some of the structural elements described inthe embodiment may be removed optionally. Or, one or more structuralelements of an embodiment may be combined with one or more structuralelements of a different embodiment.

In the embodiment, a liquid crystal display device is used as an exampleof a display device. However, no limitation is intended thereby and thedisplay device may be a self luminescent display device such as anorganic electroluminescent display device or a flat-panel display devicesuch as an electronic paper display device including electrophoresiselements or the like. Furthermore, a size of the display device does notmatter and the embodiment can be applied to a display device of anysize; small, medium, or large.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A display device comprising: a first substrateincluding: a first light shielding layer; a second light shielding layerseparated from the first light shielding layer; a gate line extending ina first direction, the gate line opposed to the first light shieldinglayer and the second light shielding layer; a first source lineextending in a second direction and opposed to the first light shieldinglayer; and a second source line extending in the second direction andopposed to the second light shielding layer; and a second substratedisposed opposed to the first substrate; wherein the first lightshielding layer is disposed at a crossing point of the gate line and thefirst source line, the second light shielding layer is disposed at acrossing point of the gate line and the second source line, and a sizeof the first light shielding layer is greater than a size of the secondlight shielding layer.
 22. The display device of claim 21, furthercomprising: a switching element electrically connected to the gate lineand the first source line; and a pixel electrode electrically connectedto the switching element and opposed to the first light shielding layerand the second light shielding layer.
 23. The display device of claim22, wherein an area in which the first light shielding layer and thepixel electrode are opposed to each other and an area in which thesecond light shielding layer and the pixel electrode are opposed to eachother are equal in size.
 24. The display device of claim 23, whereincoupling capacitance between the first light shielding layer and thepixel electrode and coupling capacitance between the second lightshielding layer and the pixel electrode are equal.
 25. The displaydevice of claim 21, further comprising a columnar spacer positioned tooverlap the first light shielding layer and maintain a cell gap betweenthe first substrate and the second substrate.
 26. The display device ofclaim 21, wherein the first light shielding layer and the second lightshielding layer are formed of a light shielding metal material.
 27. Thedisplay device of claim 21, wherein the first light shielding layer andthe second light shielding layer are partly opposed to each ofsurrounding four pixel electrodes.
 28. The display device of claim 27,wherein an area of the first light shielding layer and an area of thesecond light shielding layer opposed to a same pixel electrode are equalin size.
 29. The display device of claim 21, wherein the second lightshielding layer has a shape different from the first light shieldinglayer.
 30. A display device comprising: a first substrate including: afirst light shielding layer; a second light shielding layer separatedfrom the first light shielding layer; a gate line extending in a firstdirection and opposed to the first light shielding layer and the secondlight shielding layer; a first source line extending in a seconddirection and opposed to the first light shielding layer; a secondsource line extending in the second direction and opposed to the secondlight shielding layer; a first pixel electrode extending in a regiondivided by the gate line and the first source line; a second pixelelectrode extending in a region divided by the gate line, the firstsource line and the second source line; a third pixel electrodeextending in a region divided by the gate line and the second sourceline; a fourth pixel electrode adjacent to the first pixel electrode inthe second direction; a fifth pixel electrode adjacent to the secondpixel electrode in the second direction; and a sixth pixel electrodeadjacent to the third pixel electrode in the second direction; and asecond substrate disposed opposed to the first substrate; wherein thefirst light shielding layer is disposed at a crossing point of the gateline and the first source line, the second light shielding layer isdisposed at a crossing point of the gate line and the second sourceline, and the first light shielding layer and the second light shieldinglayer are partly opposed to each of surrounding four pixel electrodes.31. The display device of claim 30, further comprising: a firstcounter-region in which the first light shielding layer and the firstpixel electrode are opposed each other; a second counter-region in whichthe first light shielding layer and the second pixel electrode areopposed each other; a third counter-region in which the second lightshielding layer and the second pixel electrode are opposed each other; afourth counter-region in which the second light shielding layer and thethird pixel electrode are opposed each other; a fifth counter-region inwhich the first light shielding layer and the fourth pixel electrode areopposed each other; a sixth counter-region in which the first lightshielding layer and the fifth pixel electrode are opposed each other; aseventh counter-region in which the second light shielding layer and thefifth pixel electrode are opposed each other; and an eighthcounter-region in which the second light shielding layer and the sixthpixel electrode are opposed each other.
 32. The display device of claim31, wherein an area of the first counter-region, an area of the secondcounter-region, an area of the fifth counter-region, and an area of thesixth counter-region are equal in size.
 33. The display device of claim31, wherein an area of the third counter-region, an area of the fourthcounter-region, an area of the seventh counter-region, and an area ofthe eighth counter-region are equal in size.
 34. The display device ofclaim 30, further comprising a columnar spacer positioned to overlap thefirst light shielding layer and maintain a cell gap between the firstsubstrate and the second substrate.
 35. The display device of claim 30,wherein the first light shielding layer and the second light shieldinglayer are formed of a light shielding metal material.
 36. The displaydevice of claim 30, wherein an area in which the first light shieldinglayer is disposed is greater than an area in which the second lightshielding layer is disposed.
 37. The display device of claim 31, whereinan area of the second counter-region and an area of the thirdcounter-region are equal.
 38. The display device of claim 30, wherein asize of the first light shielding layer is greater than a size of thesecond light shielding layer.
 39. The display device of claim 30,wherein the second light shielding layer has a shape different from thefirst light shielding layer.